Chapter 46
"Duke!" The sudden appearance of Duke Agnus left Chiffon flustered.
"I asked you what you think you're doing, Chiffon."
"I—!" Chiffon struggled to swallow as he faced down Duke Agnus's deeply sunken eyes. His master clearly held an interest in Joshua. Moreover, as a subordinate, he actually dared to raise his sword against his master’s child. There was no doubt that it was an inexcusable situation.
While Chiffon was flailing around for options, Vanessa quietly stepped forward.
"I called Lucia and the boy over. I heard you were taking them to the capital, so I figured I'd have a meal with them before they go."
The way Vanessa emphasized the word "capital" made Duke Agnus consider his next words carefully. He carefully looked around: the Duchess's eyes smoldered with anger; Lucia was anxious and restless.
His gaze then landed on the food, and his eyes brightened. He instantly turned to look at Vanessa.
A slight tremble coursed through Vanessa. Her reaction was all the explanation he needed.
"How long are you going to stand around like that?"
"Ah…" Chiffon hastily sheathed his sword. Likewise, Lugia disappeared with a shake of Joshua's hand.
"We are leaving tomorrow morning…" Duke Agnus eyed Joshua and Lucia. "Just get up…"
"All right." Joshua stood from his seat without hesitation and approached Lucia. "Mother—"
"Ah! Yes…" Lucia was gently escorted out of the dining room.
A voice came from behind Duke Agnus as he was about to leave.
"Why are you doing this now?" Aren't you even going to deny it? Why are you always keeping me in the dark?"
"...Do you hold a grudge against me?" Duke Agnus slowly turned to face Vanessa.
"Yes." Vanessa's face crumpled.
"What is it that you are so upset about?"
"It's—"
"—Is it because I took interest in Joshua and Lucia all of a sudden?"
"Don't bring up that bitch in front of me!” Vanessa lashed out. “Is this what you married me for!? You never cared about me, your pride and honor always came first."
Duke Agnus remained stoic throughout her violent outburst.
"When one is born into the Imperial family, an arranged marriage is a given. I didn't marry you because of love, so I'm not even going to talk about that. However—!" Vanessa bit her lip. "I will not remain silent if that child harms Babel. Babel means everything to me, just as family and honor mean everything to you. As one of the Empire's highest, so long as you have basic etiquette, you would know how to think—"
"Basic etiquette?" Duke Agnus smirked, but his eyes were not smiling. "Would a person with 'basic etiquette’ do such a thing?"
"What…?" Vanessa was plunged into sudden uneasiness as she barely managed to cough up a reply.
"Do the two of you perhaps take me as an idiot?"
The Duke's steely gaze bored down on Vanessa and Chiffon. It was confirmation.
‘He knew everything.’
***
Lucia nagged Joshua for over an hour after they left the dining room.
‘I'm sure she was upset.’ Joshua smiled bitterly. He hadn't mentioned anything in advance, despite the tremendous changes going on. From Joshua's perspective, it wasn't a big deal—he was just too busy to talk. But that was just an excuse.
It wasn’t as if they lived in separate houses. He had the time if he wanted to.
Human beings always loved to create pretty lies for themselves, which gathered like thorns in their parents' hearts.
Joshua stopped berating himself when he noticed that he had a guest waiting outside his door.
"Cain?"
As Joshua’s room was in a secluded corner of the giant mansion, there was no one else on the empty hallway.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Cain's footsteps echoed in the empty corridor as he approached Joshua.
"I was anticipating your arrival." The knight bowed before Joshua.
"Have you been waiting for a long time?"
"Please." Cain chuckled and shook his head. "I'm not that sluggish."
"Hmm… Is that so?" Joshua cast Cain a doubtful look.
"Did you have a good meal?" Cain sheepishly changed the subject.
"You knew?"
"You weren't in your room, so I asked the butler. He said you went for dinner."
‘Was the butler in on the game?’ Every part of this affair had to have been meticulously prepared. No doubt Vanessa had her fingers in every corner of the Duke's estate—another reason for Joshua to move to the capital as soon as possible for him to build his own influence. He wasn't bothered by the insects swarming around him, but he wouldn't let them bother his mother.
"I heard you're leaving for the capital tomorrow."
Joshua raised an eyebrow at him.
"It's just my opinion, but… I believe it's a fantastic choice. The Young Master can build up his power safely with the support of the capital, and you'll be able to learn something from the Grand Duke."
Cain hesitated for a moment, then his expression firmed.
"I have a request, Young Master."
"What?"
"What I mentioned before; my heart's desire. Will you accept me as your servant?"
Joshua's expression fell. Cain's question was troubling—clearly, the more capable his followers all, the easier his life was. He was already planning on recruiting talent anyway. However, there was one thing he had to make sure of.
"Do you have any idea what path I'll take? You've come to the wrong spot if glory is what you want. People will reject the path I walk because it is paved with blood." Joshua stared Cain dead in the eyes. "Do you still wish to follow me?"
"A knight merely trusts and obeys his master." Cain slowly knelt with one knee before Joshua. "No matter how much blood lies on their path. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I, as a knight, will stake my life on Young Master Joshua.”
"Would you grant me this honor?" Cain slammed his fist over his heart.
Joshua broke his grim fa?ade with a bright peal of laughter.
"Maybe."
***
The next morning, the Duchy's staff were busy as bees. No one complained, even though they'd hosted a grand dinner the night before.
Today was the day the Duke departed for the capital, after all.
"Attention!" The Duke's knights were lined up in front of the castle's main gate as Duke Agnus made his appearance.
"Salute!" Armstrong, the commander of Golden Mane Corps bellowed.
As one, their swords were raised to the sky. Hundreds of knights moved in perfect unison, like clockwork.
"Are you sure you're okay?"
"Everything is fine," Joshua answered.
Duke Agnus’ brows furrowed together.
"You may be acting as a fallen noble, but your attendants are not limited. Don't you think it would be inconvenient to be accompanied by only one knight?"
"Did you forget how I used to live?" Joshua grinned and tossed a glance over his shoulder at Cain. "One attendant is one too many."
"All right. Well, then." Duke Agnus snapped his reins.
"For Agnus!"
“Move!”
Joshua spared the estate one last glance before he followed the Duke through the forest of gleaming blades.
"Wait!" A thundering voice broke the solemn silence.
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